Mike Portnoy expressed a strong “connection” to the Mike Mangini-era tracks that were included in Dream Theater’s recent setlist, revealing that he has never had any issue with performing drum parts written by other musicians.
The progressive metal band kicked off the US leg of its highly anticipated 40th-anniversary tour, giving North American fans the chance to see Dream Theater perform with co-founder and original drummer Mike Portnoy once again. The setlist, which was largely similar to the one from the previous year, included a tribute to former drummer Mike Mangini with the inclusion of “Barstool Warrior” and “This is the Life.”
This thoughtful gesture came directly from Portnoy, who now takes charge of selecting the setlist. In a recent interview with Rock Hard Greece, he explained that he feels “very comfortable” playing songs written by other drummers (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar):
“Well, first off, the band didn’t choose those songs. With me back in charge of the setlist, I oversaw the selection, including choosing tracks from albums I wasn’t part of. They gave me full freedom to revisit those albums and pick songs I felt comfortable with.”
Portnoy elaborated on his selection process:
“I listened to those albums with an open mind, trying to connect with songs that moved me—songs I felt a connection to both thematically and melodically. I picked the songs that I could envision myself playing, ones that would feel comfortable and natural for this lineup. It wasn’t about picking the most technical or the easiest songs; it was about what resonated with me.”
He continued:
“I went through those five albums and created a list of the songs that spoke to me. Over time, we’ll see which songs make their way into the setlist.”
Addressing the challenge of playing parts written by another drummer, Portnoy added:
“Was it weird for me to play songs I didn’t perform or write? Not at all. I’ve built my career around playing drum parts created by other drummers. Whether it was with Avenged Sevenfold, Twisted Sister, or even playing Spock’s Beard songs with Neal Morse, I’ve always respected the original drummers’ work. It’s something I’ve been doing my whole career, and I’m very comfortable with it.”
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